Overview of Water Application Methods:

1. Surface (Flooding)
2. Subsurface application
3. Pressurized (Sprinkler)
4. Drip (Trickle, applied in drops)

A) Surface Irrigation Methods (Horticultural Focus)

Border Irrigation

• Used In: Orchards with close spacing like guava, citrus (with contour borders in undulating areas).
• Advantages: Economical for large orchard blocks. Uniform distribution possible
• Limitations: Not suitable for hilly or sandy soils. Water stagnation may damage roots in poorly drained soils

Check Basin Irrigation

• Used In: Mango, guava, citrus trees on flat terrain
• Advantages: Effective for deep-rooted horticultural trees. Suitable for heavy soils
• Limitations: Inhibits mechanization. Labour intensive

Furrow Irrigation

• Used In: Banana, papaya, and wide-row spaced crops
• Advantages: Minimizes water contact with stem. Suitable for inter-row cultivation
• Limitations: Not suitable for sandy soils. Uneven wetting in shallow-rooted crops

B) Subsurface Irrigation

• Used In: Limited in horticulture due to high cost
• Effective For: Greenhouse crops, polyhouse vegetables
• Advantages: No surface evaporation. Machine movement unhindered
• Limitations: Expensive infrastructure. Risk of waterlogging/root rot

C) Drip Irrigation (Most Preferred in Horticulture)

• Ideal For: Fruits (mango, pomegranate, banana, citrus, guava), vegetables (tomato, chilli, capsicum), spices (turmeric, ginger), plantation crops (coconut, arecanut, oil palm), floriculture and medicinal plants.
• Benefits: High water saving (up to 60%). Promotes healthy root zone. Enables fertigation (fertilizer application with water). Improves fruit quality & yield
• System Components: Pump, filter, main/submain, laterals, emitters, chemical tank
• Disadvantages:
  • High setup cost
  • Emitters may clog without proper filtration
  • Requires skilled maintenance

D) Sprinkler Irrigation

• Used In: Nurseries, lawns, leafy vegetables, strawberry, onion, garlic, ornamental gardens
• Advantages:
  • Uniform water distribution
  • Effective in sandy and sloped areas
  • Helps manage frost in orchards (e.g., citrus)
• Disadvantages:
  • Wind affects uniformity
  • High evaporation
  • Not ideal for tall crops (e.g., banana)

Sprinkler Systems for Horticulture:

1. Portable Systems – Flexible, easy to install in polyhouse/greenhouses
2. Solid Set Systems – Used in nurseries and orchards
3. Micro-Sprinklers – Widely used in papaya, guava, flowers, strawberry, and nurseries

Competitive Exam Highlights for Horticultural Crops:

• Drip irrigation: Best suited for water-saving and fertigation in fruit crops
• Sprinkler: Used in frost control, sandy soils and leafy vegetables
• Furrow irrigation: Preferred for banana, papaya, and row-spaced plantation crops
• Check basins: Common in mango and citrus plantations
• Subsurface: Best for protected cultivation and saline water areas